The 2012 Olympics | What is Takes to Be an Olympian…

With the 2012 Olympics underway, I started thinking the other day, “Hey, I could be an Olympic athlete.”  In what, I have no idea but for that full day, I had myself convinced that I could have been on an Olympic team.  However, with special thanks to my friends providing me a dose of reality I realized that idea was ridiculous. 

Training to be in the Olympics doesn’t take just an hour each day practicing and training, it takes a lifetime worth of commitment.  Take Michael Phelps for instance.  The swimmer with the most Olympic medals in history swims 80,000 meters (about 50 miles) a week, works out twice a day up to 6 hours at a time mixing pool time with the weight room.  I like to think I’m pretty active, but my measely 30 minutes of exercise almost every day is nothing compared to that of an athlete training for the Olympics.

These athletes put their heart and soul in to the sport they love.  Whether it be water polo, to gymnastics or dressage; this activity is not simply just a “part” of their life, it is their life. And with that said, I will never be an Olympic athlete because I love being able to do and eat what I want. 

Good luck to all of those participating in the 2012 Olympic Games! Check out the official London Olympics website to make sure you don’t miss cheering on your team!

Ride On,

        Colleen

Visit: www.StoreYourBoard.com

Bike Riding | Why You Should Get Out There and Try It

I’ll be honest; it wasn’t until recently that I became interested in cycling.  I didn’t think it would be too interesting and I honestly hate when there are bikers taking up the entire right lane.  But…I am now one of them.  It was a refreshing change to my workout routine that allowed me to take in the sights around me.

So if you are a biking skeptic like I was, here are a few reasons why you should give it a go!

Biking…

Saves YOU money – Let’s be real here, gas prices are not getting any lower.  So why waste $10 on not even a gallon of gas to drive to the post office down the road?  Get off the couch and on your bike to ride the short distance instead of driving your car.

Is a good alternative if you can no longer play sports – A good friend of mine tore her ACL in her knee when we were in high school and needless to say ,it prevents her today from playing any of the sports she loves.  However, she can still ride her bike and engulfs herself in taking rides because she not only enjoys the adrenaline rush but it’s all she has left.

Is a good way to see the world around you – Feeling a little adventurous?  Grab a bike and go exploring! Whether it is in the mountains around you or through the new town you’ve just moved to.   Taking a ride can sometimes lead you to the unexpected.

Allows you bonding time with your friends – Sometimes biking down the road gets a little lonely.  Riding with friends allows you to spend quality time with them while being active! They are also a great support system when you don’t think you can ride any further.

Is an AWESOME workout – Lifting weights and running on the treadmill not your thing? Riding a bike offers a different experience when it comes to getting in cardio exercise. One, you create your path.  A bike rider is not stuck staring at the wall but can ride on trails, roads, off roads, back roads—wherever you please!  It is also a great way to build muscle!  Riding up hills, even though we hate them, builds up your leg muscles and the ride in general builds up your isometric muscles in your arms.

Therefore, lesson learned.  Now instead of hating fellow bikers on the road while I’m driving, I’m going to be jealous that they are riding and I am stuck in a car—with no air conditioning.

Ride On,

        Colleen

Visit: www.StoreYourBoard.com

StoreYourBoard does the Firefly Music Festival!

This past weekend, StoreYourBoard trekked up to Dover, Delaware for the inaugural Firefly Music Festival.  Firefly was held on the grounds of the Dover International Speedway, which hosts an annual Nascar race, so the site was primed for hosting a huge group of people.  And the site didn't disappoint.  From the tons of tents and camping spaces, to the 4 stages with constant performances, to the Dogfish Head Brewery on site, the place had it all.  The weather looked like it could rain to put a damper on the weekend, but the rain held off but also kept it less than the 90+ temps that have been hitting the east coast this summer.  The weather was perfect for an outdoor festival.

Here is a picture of our camp set up, repping the USA:

Here we are entering the grounds for the first time on Friday night.  Can't wait for the 2013 festival already...

Modest Mouse getting ready to rock on Saturday afternoon:

This is from Apartment by Young the Giant.  My Body was definitely their best song of the set - the place was bumping!

The Killers know how to put on a show! Played all their hits, dumped confetti, shot off fireworks, did it all!

Yes, that is the lead singer from the Flaming Lips inside that blow up ball rolling around on top of the crowd.  Not even the craziest thing they did either.

We went to more shows and took more pictures and videos but there are beyond too many to post.  It's almost unfair not to mention the other shows we saw including The Black Keys, Girl Talk, Group Love, The Silversun Pickups, Death Cab, Tinie Tempah, J Roddy Ralston and the Business, and the Imagine Dragons.  If you didn't make it to Dover this past weekend, you missed an unreal set of shows.  But there is always next year.  We will be there again for sure.


Visit: www.StoreYourBoard.com

Skateboard Parts | Anatomy 101: The Skateboard and Its Parts

No, a skateboard is not just a board on wheels.  Like most things in life, it is composed of various parts that allow it to move.  So for all those inexperienced riders out there that don’t know much about skateboards, here is a list breaking down each vital element of the board.

Deck – The deck is the actual board part of the skateboard.  The skateboarder’s height is crucial to finding the right deck size.  If you are on the shorter size, 4’ and under, try a deck that is 29” long.  If you are 6’ and above, try a deck that is 32.4” long.  Riders who are in the middle of those heights choose accordingly, if you are closer to 4’ choose a deck that is longer than 29” but shorter than 32.4”.  The width of most skateboards is between seven and eight inches, but if you are blessed with larger feet choose a bigger size.  The last, and best, part of a skateboard deck is the graphic.  Have fun with it and choose a brand that stands out to you.

Trucks – Connecting to the bottom of the deck, the truck stables the skateboard while allowing it to turn.  The wheels then mount to the truck.  It is important to pick a truck that is the same width of the deck.  The trucks contain a part called brushings, the spongy circular piece that supports the truck when it turns.  The brushings come in different grades: stiff, medium, and soft.  Softer bushings allow the skateboarder to turn easily, where the stiff bushings support the board better—probably best for beginning riders.

Wheels – You would think that the wheel is simple: it makes the skateboard go.  However, factors such as diameter and durameter (how hard or soft the wheel is) effect the way of the ride.  If your sole purpose is cruising the ramps, you’ll want a larger, harder wheel.  Large wheels roll faster allowing the rider to get air and make it up to the top.  Street riding more your style? Choose wheels that are smaller and lighter, but still hard.  With smaller wheels, you are closer to the ground, which makes it easier to do flip tricks.  If you want a board for both ramp riding and tricks, you’ll want a softer wheel that balances your speed and weight.

Bearings – These are the little metal rings inside of your skateboard wheel.  The bearings are rated on a scale from 1-9.  A skateboarder needs precise, durable wheels that will last through the abuse of jumps, grinds and rides.  A good bearing would be between a 3-5.

Riser – The part between the truck and the deck.  The risers help prevent the deck form cracking while relieving stress from the trucks. 

Griptape – The black, sandpaper like material attached to the top of the deck.  The name says it all: helps the rider grip the skateboard to prevent falling (though that happens no matter what, especially in the beginning days).

Each of these pieces attach together with various nuts, bolts, and screws.  Feeling crafty? Try building your own skateboard!  Let us at StoreYourBoard know how it turns out by sending us a picture through our email or posting it on our Facebook page!


In your search for the perfect skate deck did you find one that is just too nice to even skate?  Check out a skateboard deck display, they make your deck look like art in your house. 

Ride On,

        Colleen

Visit: www.StoreYourBoard.com

Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) | A Fun Exercise

The new rage that is stand up paddle boarding, or SUP, has an added benefit: it is awesome exercise.  From toning your arms, to tightening your core and butt SUP is a full body exercise.  And the best part? It doesn't leave you sore the next day!

Because of having to distribute your weight evenly on the board along with trying to paddle, SUP increases balance—which many people may not think is an important aspect of exercise.  However, balance affects agility, quickness and prevents injury.  Paddling through water currents not only tones your arm muscles but works your back and abdominals, too.  And if you’re concerned about having the arms of body builder, look elsewhere. 

Not only is it a medical exercise, SUP is one of the mental variety as well.  Most riders feel a sense of peace gliding throughout the open ocean, lake or river.  You’re alone with nature and because this sport doesn’t take much concentration your mind can wander elsewhere. 

In fact, many riders have taken to doing yoga while on their paddleboard!  Riders paddle to serene inlets or coves where they then take on standard hour-long sessions of yoga.  It starts the same with breathing exercises, then moving to the poses and postures.  Being on the nonslip board in the water adds an increase in strengthening your core, focus and concentration. 

Don’t be scared to try this out! It is really easy to pick up and you are hooked after your first ride.

Ride On,

        Colleen

Visit: www.StoreYourBoard.com

Music Playlist | The Perfect Playlist for Your Perfect Ride

Music is essential for most riders in order to perform well at competitions—no matter the sport.  Listening to the right pump up music is a key element to get a rider’s blood flowing and heart rate going to have the time of their life.  Many riders have even admitted that if their music is off, they won’t have a good run.  Whether it is underground hip-hop to hard rock, each song has the same job: ready the rider for their performance.  Here is my latest playlist that hasn’t let me down yet.

**Warning what you are about to view does not contain sappy love songs, brokenhearted look elsewhere.  However, there may be explicit language.

Stronger – Kayne West

I Hate Everything About You – Three Days Grace

Pursuit of Happiness – Kid Cudi

Live Your Life (feat. Rihanna) – T.I. 

Gold On the Ceiling – The Black Keys

Paper Planes – M.I.A.

Feel So Close – Calvin Harris

Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) – Beyoncé

Birthday Cake Remix – Rihanna

Club Can’t Handle Me – Flo Rida

Bring Em Out (feat. Jay Z) – T.I.

Crazy Bitch – Buckcherry

Lose My Breath – Destiny’s Child

Bring Me to Life – Evanescence

Eyes Wide Open – Gotye

F*** You – Cee-Lo Green

I hope you enjoyed that taste of my ritual, share your playlist with StoreYourBoard and it could be posted on our blog or Facebook page!

Ride On,

        Colleen

Visit: www.StoreYourBoard.com

Best Places to Bike | Come See America by Bike

With the price of gas skyrocketing, instead of taking a road trip this summer, why not tour America by bike!  A fantastic way to truly see our 50 states is by going on a bike tour.  Taking a bicycle tour is a way for cyclists to tour around an area and get a feel for the surroundings—and it’s good for the environment too! But where to start?  

StoreYourBoard has compiled a list of the best places in America that will make great vacations for bike enthusiasts.

Canyonlands National Park, Utah – That’s right, Utah is not only the perfect spot for skiing and snowboarding, but for mountain biking as well.  The Canyonlands National Park is a location filled with red-rock canyons, slick rock, and dessert backcountry.  The surrounding area provides many guide companies that will travel with a group throughout the inaccessible terrain.  With its intertwining canyons, an area called The Maze is the most recommended seeing.  

 

Charleston, South Carolina – This southern town provides a rich atmosphere for visiting and permanent cyclists.  It not only offers mountain biking through Mount Pleasant, but road biking along the towns and the coast, particularly the Isle of Palms.  Many inns and hotels provide bike racks out front and guidance to the best bike routes and guide companies with daily tours.

Fruita, Colorado – With some trails praised as the best in the world, this is the ideal location for those who enjoy mountain biking.  Similar to Utah, cyclists will travel through red-rock canyons only to find themselves in remote pine forests.  The city’s road trails are an easy relaxing ride for those of you who want to take in the beautiful surroundings.  Whereas those of you who like a challenge should try out the Kokopelli trails.

Burlington, Vermont – This lovely New England area will provide a cyclist with a relaxing ride as they tour the Burlington Bike Path, a 7.5 mile trek along Lake Champlain that links 6 major waterfront parks.  Looking for something longer?  The Lake Champlain Bikeways provide a 1,300+ miles of bike routes that travel throughout Vermont, to New York and to Quebec.

Healdsburg, California – There’s nothing better than going on a bike tour and a wine tour at the same time, right?  If that’s your style, Healdsburg is just the thing for you.  Travel through Sonoma wine country on the Wine Country Bikes tour with their multi-day tours, self-guided or guided tours.  Visit the state’s best wineries, while enjoying a picnic lunch and exploring the area.

Deciding to drive to these biking destinations?  Proper bike storage is key when traveling on any vacation.  Store your bike correctly with a floor bike stand that is easily portable and doesn’t take up room in your hotel or condo. 

Ride On,

        Colleen 

Visit: www.StoreYourBoard.com

X Games Los Angeles 2012 | The Next Generation

When I was 11 or 12, I spent my days outside playing with my neighborhood friends, enjoying our adolescence.  Today, three young boys will be enjoying their summer vacation not by playing flashlight tag, but rather competing in the Summer X games in Los Angeles.  

As the Summer X Games begin, we’re sure to see some familiar faces taking over with their skateboards like every year, but keep your eyes on the big air competition where the youngsters are taking over.  Jagger Eaton (11 years old), Tom Schaar (12 years old) and Trey Wood (11 years old) may seem small but they are forces to be reckoned with.  Schaar was the first 12-year-old to have landed a 1080 when he did so in March 2012, a big feat that many big name skateboarders cannot master themselves.   While they skate among legends, many of them their idols, the boys only fear is the drop on to the MegaRamp.  See what they think in ESPN’s video TricksAre For Kids.

The X Games start June 28^th and end July 1^st. Coverage will be provided by ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC but it can also be live streamed from XGames.com or WatchESPN.com

Ride On,

        Colleen

Visit: www.StoreYourBoard.com

ASP World Tour | The Dream Tour

ASP World Championship Tour: the Dream Tour

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Championship Tour pits the world's 34 best surfers in competition against one another across 10 events for the right to be crowned world surf champion.  Established in 1982 by Ian Cairns, the World Tour has developed into a global competition, featuring competitors from all over the world and competitions across continents.  Because it is the pinnacle of professional surfing, it is commonly referred to as the "Dream Tour."

Since Tom Carroll won the first ASP World Championship back in 1983, there have only been 12 different winners of the championship in 29 years.  The biggest reason there have been so few winners is because of the dominance of Kelly Slater, who has won the championship 11 times, including 5 straight championships from 1994-1998.  Other repeat winners include Tom Carroll (2x), Tom Curren (3x), Damien Hardman (2x), Andy Irons (3x), and Mick Fanning (2x).  Every year, new stars stake their claim to the championship, but Kelly Slater or Mick Fanning has won the championship every year since 2004. 

Some of the events on the tour calendar change from year-to-year so that the surfers can surf new breaks and expose different parts of the world to the "World Tour experience."  This year, the tour includes stops in Australia, Brazil, Fiji, Tahiti, the United States, France, Portugal, and Hawaii.  Other notable stops in recent years included Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Long Island, New York. 

So far this year, the tour has completed 4 events: Gold Coast and Bells Beach, Australia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Tavarua, Fiji.  Taj Burrow took the win at the Gold Coast, Mick Fanning was first at Bells, John John Florence won at Rio, and most recently, Kelly Slater came out on top at Tavarua.  After those 4 events, Mick Fanning is number 1 in the tour standings, followed closely by Kelly Slater, Joel Parkinson, Adriano de Souza, and Taj Burrow.  To make sure that each event maxes out the opportunity to get great waves, the time for each tour event is about a two week window.  Early on every day during those two weeks, contest organizers check the surf conditions and swell forecasts to determine whether the conditions are right to run the contest.  If it's flat, or if they see something better coming in the forecast, the organizers will call a "lay day", temporarily postponing the contest until the waves arrive.  As any surfer knows, this can be a tough decision.

The next tour event won't be for another 2 months, when the Billabong Pro Teahupoo kicks off in Teahupoo August 16 through August 27.  Notorious for having the heaviest waves and barrels around, this event is sure to produce an equal share of epic rides and massive wipeouts, both fan favorites.  Like all the events, the Billabong Pro will be streaming live online - don't forget to check it out!  In the meantime, check out the highlights from the final day of the Fiji Pro.

Visit: www.StoreYourBoard.com

Skateboard Brands | Top Five Skateboard Deck Brands

If you’re new to the skateboarding industry, sometimes it can be hard to pick the right brand of skateboard to start your journey.  Should you pick what is most popular, or make your choice based on the style or shape of the board? Well worry no more.  StoreYourBoard has compiled our list of the five best skateboard brands out of the many awesome ones on the market.  

Zero Skateboards

With their signature Skull logo covering most decks, Zero is for those of you who have a dark side.  Created by Anthony Freiberg, the company started out in 1996 as a clothing company before becoming a full-blown skateboarding company when Jamie Thomas became Zero’s first rider.  Zero skateboards are one of the best brands for street skating, possibly because of the badass imagery on the brands decks.

Element Skateboards

Originally known as Underworld Element Skateboards, the “Underworld” portion was dropped when Johnny Schillereff absorbed the company.  These earth friendly skateboards are manufactured to result in the highest quality skateboard out there.  The Helium chambers in the certain decks make them light and firm for the perfect ride.  Contrasting with Zero skateboards, Element’s logo is simple and crisp with complementary colors.

Plan B Skateboards

Plan B’s goal is simple: to produce durable and high quality skateboards.   The brand actually disbanded in the early 90s only to resurface recently.   Now owned by Danny Way and Collin McKay, Plan B skateboards are made from high grade 7-ply skate decks to produce lighter, stronger and manageable skateboards.  Not only producing quality boards, the brand has a powerhouse skate team (riders include Ryan Sheckler, Danny Way, Collin McKay, and Jereme Rogers).

Blind Skateboards

Having been around the block since 1989, this veteran brand is obviously doing something right.  With the logo of a grim reaper, these durable skateboards often cheat death.  The brand prides themselves on indestructible boards made from aluminum, texalium and epoxy glass. 

Girl Skateboards
 

These American made 7-ply skateboard decks are made to do one job: to provide an excellent ride.  With nothing too fancy about these skateboards, they are the best for beginning skateboarders.  The brand is also philanthropic with their Girl (Product) Red decks which help to diminish AIDS by 2015.

Other quality brands include Birdhouse, Habitat, Flip, and Chocolate.

Skateboard decks are intricately designed to be eye catching and deserve to be displayed.  Check out our wall mounted skateboard racks as a way to show off your ride.

 

 

Ride On,

        Colleen 

Visit: www.StoreYourBoard.com